Six ‘turrets’ on the roof of an award-winning £9.3m school will be removed to stop water leaking which began shortly after it opened.

Ysgol yr Hendre at Cae Phillips, Caernarfon, which has 450 pupils, opened in March 2012.

At the time, it was named Wales’ best-value building and Gwynedd Council said its construction meant it would stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

But, within a few months, builders Wynne Construction were called back to fix a leak in the roof.

A spokeswoman for the company today said the firm had dealt with the leaking roof problems and was not involved in the removal of the turrets.

However, according to Gwynedd Council the leaks have persisted with water dripping from around the turrets into the school’s main hall.

Now the council has submitted plans to pull the turrets down during the October half-term, next week from October 24.

Governors chairman Cllr Roy Owen said the turrets were originally built to house six fans to blow warm air back into the roof of the main hall because of its height.

Ysgol yr Hendre, Caernarfon and its six turrets

He said they were also supposed to bring more light to the hall.

Cllr Owen said: “They were boxes for fans to filter and blow air.

“They were also designed to look like Caernarfon castle but the fans were never fitted because the spending was over budget.”

Plans by Gwynedd architectural assistant Chris Morgan state that planned works are “to deal with the deterioration of six existing roof turrets located above the main hall building. . . . thus eliminating the historical maintenance and water ingress issues associated with the turrets.”

"More aesthetically pleasing"

Mr Morgan said removing the structures would also reduce maintenance for the building manager and council while minimising the risk of working at height.

He added: “We also believe removal of the turrets will be more aesthetically pleasing for the community and nearby residents.”

After their removal, the holes will be suitably covered and insulated so that the roof will then be flat.

Headteacher Kyle Jones said that water had been dripping from the roof above the school’s main hall.

Mr Jones said: “It’s a matter of maintenance and a matter for the county council. It will not affect the school or the pupils in any way.”